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Method for establishing high-reliability wireless connectivity to mobile devices using multi channel radiosRelated Patent Categories: Multiplex Communications, Channel Assignment TechniquesMethod for establishing high-reliability wireless connectivity to mobile devices using multi channel radios description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060045113, Method for establishing high-reliability wireless connectivity to mobile devices using multi channel radios. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to wireless network client devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses that enable the wireless network (WLAN) client devices to make use concomitantly of multiple channel access and transmittal capabilities. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Single channel WLAN access points (APs) have limited capabilities to enable enterprise-class network management. This is because only a single radio channel is available for handling both data communications and wireless (WLAN) management. The single channel makes efforts to handle both tasks. Today's WLAN management solutions that address this problem fall into two categories: single-channel integrated channel scanning solutions and network monitoring overlays. [0003] Single-channel integrated channel scanning solutions utilize single-channel APs to monitor the network for anomalies, network status and unauthorized devices by periodically stopping data communications in order to scan all available WLAN channels for unauthorized WLAN activity. This method is disruptive to data communications, and even more so to voice communications, as the network traffic flow is interrupted each time an AP goes offline to monitor the network. Further, it only actually monitors the network during the short period that the AP is performing channel scanning, leaving the network unmonitored for the majority of time. [0004] The network monitoring WLAN overlay method provides dedicated WLAN monitoring devices deployed throughout the enterprise to `listen` to the network in order to monitor the network. This method is an improvement over the single-channel scanning method, however it requires an additional set of WLAN hardware, often from a different vendor than that of the deployed APs, to purchase, install, maintain and manage. This results in incremental cost to an IT department. [0005] Single-channel network client devices present a set of challenges, as well. While using 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g protocols, a wireless mobile client device maintains connection with the network via a plurality of WLAN access points. If the RF environment changes, for example, due to RF interference, due to a change in the physical environment of the client device, or due to the movement of the mobile client device, the mobile client device temporarily looses connectivity with the network access point. [0006] In this case, the network client device has to connect to a different access point, if one is available, or remain disassociated for a period of time. In either case, the communication flow is interrupted for a period of time. Due to the inherent characteristics of a wireless connection, it is not unusual that connectivity between a mobile unit and the wireless network is intermittent. [0007] Current solutions that address the above problem attempt to improve the reliability of the single radio connection that unites the single-channel client device with the network. This can be done by attempting to improve the quality of the single radio connection at the functional or at the software level. Currently none of these solutions are efficient and/or cost effective and achieve continuous connectivity, reliability and high throughput. [0008] Accordingly, improved and cost effective methods and apparatuses for achieving permanent connectivity, a higher throughput of data and better reliability are necessary, both for access points and for the client devices. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention consists of a method of using a high throughput multi-channel wireless network client apparatus that comprises the steps of running a driver software on an intelligence unit embedded into the multi-channel wireless network client apparatus, running a firmware code on a multi-channel radio unit pertaining to the same apparatus, scanning the network environment for available channels, generating a list of available access points in the network environment, choosing a plurality of available access ports based on a custom method, establishing multiple concomitant radio connections with all chosen access points, and exchanging data between the high throughput multi-channel wireless network client apparatus and said wireless network. [0010] The present invention also consists of an environment to practice the above method, a high throughput multi-channel wireless network client apparatus, that comprises a multi-channel system for communication with a wireless network, means for associating the multi-channel radio system with the wireless network, and internal antenna assembly, operatively and functionally connected to the client apparatus. [0011] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. [0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless LAN with a plurality of single-channel network client devices, sharing a single communication channel. [0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless LAN with a plurality of multi-channel wireless network client devices that maintain multiple contacts with a plurality of access points, according with one aspect of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 3 is a table illustrating a comparison between the wireless 802.11g LAN throughput of single-channel network client devices and 802.11g multi-channel wireless network client devices that maintain concomitantly multiple contacts with a plurality of access points. [0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless LAN with a plurality of single-channel network client devices, sharing a single communication channel with the APs, challenged by the presence of an obstacle in its environment. [0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless LAN with a plurality of multiple-channel wireless network client devices that maintain multiple contacts with a plurality of access points, and proposes a solution to the problem illustrated in FIG. 4, in accordance with the present invention. [0018] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a high throughput multiple-channel wireless network client apparatus, according with an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a high throughput multiple-channel wireless network client apparatus, according with another embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary multiple-channel portable data acquisition device, implemented in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Method for establishing high-reliability wireless connectivity to mobile devices using multi channel radios... 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